Construction across Windsor that includes the $1.4-billion Parkway project and $78.1-million aquatic park is poised to kick back into gear after a tentative agreement was reached Tuesday with the union which represents 300 area heavy equipment operators.

“I will tell you we have resolved all outstanding issues and recommending settlement to our members,” said Mike Gallagher, business manager for Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

The operating engineers walked off the job May 26 in a dispute over overtime pay. The Heavy Construction Association of Windsor, which represents over a dozen company owners, had demanded to increase the number of hours worked each week before overtime pay from 50 to 55, according to Gallagher.

The union leader indicated Tuesday a solution was reached on the issue, but gave no specifics.

A union ratification meeting and vote takes place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Serbian Centre, 6770 Tecumseh Rd. E.

“Should the members ratify, you can expect them back at work as quickly as possible,” Gallagher said. “There might be some logistics issues for the contractors, but you will see our members return to work right away.”

Windsor Construction Association spokesman Jim Lyons, who represented the company owners during bargaining, did not respond to a message from The Star.

Gallagher indicated there has been pressure on both sides given what was at stake for the parkway, aquatic park and other major infrastructure projects in the Windsor area – each stalled because of the strike which entered is in its second week.

The city hinted Monday it may seek an injunction in court forcing work to resume if the strike stretched into an other week or two. The city is committed to having the aquatic project ready for the International Childrens Games to be held in Windsor in August 2013.

“When you have big projects like that it adds pressure to the situation to get things resolved,” Gallagher said.

“From the union’s perspective we felt we were backed into the strike. Nobody wanted a strike at all. But despite our best efforts, there was no magic to get the deal done in time so we had no alternatives other than to take our members on strike.”

All of the heavy equipment operators are skilled trades with annual salaries that can range widely from $50,000 up to $100,000 for those who can work a lot of overtime or find a large amount of work available, Gallagher said.

Wages under the last contract for the operators, which expired April 30, range from $27.65 per hour at the low end for jobs such as truck crane drivers, bobcat operators and loader operators up to $30.67 per hour at the top end for friction and brake hoisting plant operators.

“I think the members are not happy they had to go on strike,” Gallagher said. “They felt it was necessary to do that. We will see how the members react when (the agreement) is presented to them.”

City officials were breathing a sigh of relief Tuesday upon learning the strike by construction workers may be over.

Aside from the water park, among other city projects on hold because of the strike include road upgrades on Wyandotte Street West between Sunset and Campbell avenues, repair work on the E.C. Row Expressway bridge over Howard Avenue, Riverside Drive vista improvement project on the east end of the city and upgrading of Walker Road between Digby and Foster avenues.

“It’s certainly the best news I’ve heard in two weeks,” said Mike Palanacki, the city’s executive director of operations. “I understand if there is ratification tomorrow, they could be back operating the machines Thursday morning.

“We are anxious to see that happen and move on with our daily business and these projects.”

He expects it may take a couple of days – or perhaps by Monday – for work to return to normal on municipal infrastructure projects should the deal be fully ratified.

And should the strike indeed be over, Palanacki believes within a couple of weeks all projects will be back on schedule, including the water park.

“There are no cost implications for us,” he said. “It’s really the public that would have to suffer the inconvenience (of work not getting done more timely).”

Work on the parkway has especially be hindered by the strike. About 90 of 300 local striking members are employed there.

Parkway officials were saying little about the tentative agreement on Tuesday.

“We are hopeful that the strike will end soon,” said Cindy Prince, communications manager for the Parkway Infrastructure Constructors in an email statement. “No special preparations are needed to resume affected work.”

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